Five practical ways to help with the refugee crisis

Faced with the growing crisis of thousands of Syrian refugees risking their lives to seek asylum in Europe, many of us are wondering what we can do. Here is a practical list of different ways that you can help today:

Write:

to policy makers, show you care by signing petitions, writing letters online, sharing articles, news and raising awareness through social media.

Donate:

money to agencies providing healthcare, food, shelter, and support.

Us. www.weareUs.org.uk/europe

Médecins Sans Frontières: www.msf.org.uk

Save the Children: https://secure.savethechildren.org.uk/donate/

Refugee Council: www.refugeecouncil.org.uk

UNICEF: www.unicef.org.uk/landing-pages/donate-syria

Give:

to your local foodbank, clothing, book, and other collection sites.

The Trussel Trust foodbank network: www.trusselltrust.org/foodbank-projects

Oxfam (food and goods): www.oxfam.org.uk

Red Cross (goods): #ShopDrop for Refugee Crisis; www.redcross.org.uk

Save the Children Charity shops: www.savethechildren.org.uk

Volunteer:

British Red Cross: dedicated line 0800 107 8727; www.redcross.org.uk/Get-involved

Rescue Organization: https://www.rescue.org/volunteer

NACCOM (housing): http://naccom.org.uk

Refugee Council (help refugees integrate): http://www.local.gov.uk/digital-councils/connect

Pray:

Gracious God, you are the source of all goodness, generosity, and love. We thank you for opening the hearts of many to those who are fleeing for their lives. Help us now to open our arms in welcome, and reach out our hands in support, that the desperate might find new hope, and lives torn apart be restored. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ your son our Lord, who fled persecution at his birth, and at last triumphed over death.